Have to put the record straight, jet lag or not. Maeve alerted me to another post entirely; apologies & an explanation have been sent! The sad news about Ralphie (see his obit thread) came from one of my oldest & dearest Catter Friends, Greatly saddened but grateful, nonetheless, Nigel.

we came home tonight to see, and make arrangements for 8 yr old harry who has not seen much of us, though enjoying staying with our daughters and their children. with 14 grankids he has a few playmates! tommy unfortunately was put back on ventilator today, which means he is safe at present but there is always risk of becoming dependant on it and not being able to breath for himself. it has been traumatic and frightening for him, not being able to understand why he is subjected to treatment like deep suction.

warm thoughts for friends in freezing zones at this time. blessings all pete.

Hope it was a good trip, Nigel. Very sorry we couldn't arrange to meet - next time, for sure!

Pete, imagining Tommy (and you and his mom and all who love him) surrounded by healing light and love. It must be hard, sometimes, to make your own heart start beating again, as you watch, love, wait and hope.

Safe home from NC yesterday morning. Jet lag, West to East always messes me up. Much to read here. Will write again when I can keep my eyes open long enough to do so! Special thanks to Maeve for alerting me to Ralph's plight. Wishing all of you Dear People a belated Happy Christmas & a Music-filled New Year, Nigel. xxxxx

Our weather is just cold! -29C, -39WC this morn. Small snow tomorrow. Blizzard warnings in NS, tho. I dread Monday. +6C and rain forecast but that's days away so that could change. Last of power outages (thousand without power) near Saint John, NB repaired early today. Some were without power since before Xmas.

Excellent idea, Wendy, joining in. Pete, especial hugs and meditations for Tommy and for you and your family.

All the New Englander's, Mainiacs, (and are you going to get the same weather, gnu?) and midwesterner's sailing along, hope the hatches are battened down, propane or wood piled high,and that you are able to stay snug and warm over the next few days whether the power goes out or not.

Tommy was doing really well but another mucus plug today put him in danger and left him weakened. We are hoping that he revives so he don't have to go back on ventilator. Just when we thought his recovery was underway, we find him to be still at risk. Thank you friends for your concern and prayers. Blessings. Pete.

Yes, Wendy, positive thoughts of you all, too! Tommy is still off the ventilator and began weaning slowly off continuous bi pap too. Still lots of thick secretions that physios are working on but all in all today has been a good day, thank God, .....and you all too. Blessings. Pete.

Tommy taken off ventilator appx six hours ago. They did not have high hopes of a successful transition to the bi pap breath assist but went for it anyway lest his muscles got to lazy.so far it,s going better than anticipated but the night will be a better indicator of whether he can stay off ventilator. Thanks crew. Blessings. Pete.

As you say chantylass, day by day. Even today he seemed to be doing well and then throw us into a panic with another setback. Again they hope to remove ventilator tomorrow, pending how he does tonight. Spaw, I was only attempting to be lightheartedly jesting...I don't suppose it was you. Sorry to hear of this latest loss, linn. I know how it can compound bereavement. Blessings. Pete.

Just found out two days ago that friend, musician and folk scholar Bob Webb, who lives in Phippsburg, Maine, was in hospice...and this morning it was confirmed that he passed away yesterday (Christmas) at home surrounded by his family.

At PMFF the end of September he was trying to shake what he thought was a nasty bug...

Tommy really improved yesterday and we were very hopeful. He is still reasonable but less than yesterday. We and medics had hoped to attempt removal of ventilator today but it has been deemed as not safely viable yet. Lovely poetic descriptions of the ice assault. Thanks for the prayers and thoughts of support. Blessings. Pete.

Continuing thoughts for Tommy. Posted to Mick of course but I got a nasty message from a newish 'Catter saying I was "inappropriate." Of course I am......I'm Spaw!

Maeve you have given many of us great joy of late which is not unusual for you.....but always so nice to hear. When you mentioned doing a few things for the first time since the fire, you made me very happy.

I hope all the crew is enjoying the season and that our thoughts and prayers for each other and many others have the effect we hope for. A new year arrives shortly and this thread passes a 3000 post milestone. I am thankful for Jane's Rainbow and the crew who sail her.

Lovely posts, maeve. Those fruit trees are Maine trees, and I fervently hope the worst they experience is nature's pruning that will only make them stronger and more resilient over the years of their lives.

Pete, I hope Tommy's evening set-back is nothing more than the "normal" set-back that affects many sick people in the later hours and that each morning he becomes stronger than the last and future evening set-backs become milder.

Maeve, I knew you had that wonderful wood stove and am glad to read you have water stored. When I used to live in a rural area we had a hand pump attached to the water line where it entered our basement! It sounds like you indoor chook is getting stronger and stronger. Shows what love and care can do!

Thanks, Sins. We are just fine. With that excellent wood stove, plenty of stove wood and water stored, and two people used to living simply, we enjoy such times and manage to lend a hand to neighbors when needed.

The chooks are tired of coop living, but happy and healthy otherwise, with a delicious Christmas dinner of veggies and melon trimmings. The inside chicken showed off her hard-won ability to stand and walk a few steps with a great excitement of clucks and feathers. You'd like her, I'm sure.

We could worry about our many fruit trees, all of which have inch-thick ice armor on and around every twig and branch, but it would do no good. We'll just see what happens. Snow tomorrow on top of ice- more exploding trees and power outages, I'd guess.

Maeve, I have been worried about you and the chickens. A wood stove is a blessing in an ice storm. I saw that a couple not far from you were overcome by carbon monoxide and had to be hospitalized. Stay safe.

Master Tommy, rest easy. One breath at a time young man. One at a time.